Spring is a season of new beginnings, renewals, and the opening of doors into a more lively state of the world. Despite the fresher air and the clearer skies, the nostrils of certain unlucky individuals—me, for instance—start closing up. Similarly, sneezes become more frequent in classrooms, watery eyes more visible, and the voices of individuals with evidently congested noses fill the hallways. The pollen allergy season has arrived.
As an individual who has been suffering from spring allergies for as long as I can remember, I have tried nearly every over-the-counter allergy medication, or antihistamine, available, ranging from well-known brands like Zyrtec to niche Korean medicine brands such as the Peniramin Tab. Within this article, I will be rating and ranking some widely available allergy medicines, from the least to most effective.
Last and certainly the least is Claritin. It has the benefit that you do not have to swallow it like a pill, rather, you put it under your tongue and it dissolves on its own, releasing a minty flavor. Unfortunately, for me, it had NO EFFECT. I repeat: NO EFFECT. After taking it, my eyes were still itching, my nose became somewhat runnier than before, and it was as if I had taken a breath mint rather than medicine dedicated to relieving allergies. Thus, do not trust those advertisements that show people who are thriving outdoors, frolicking on the grass. The moment you step outside after taking Claritin, you will be greeted with a strong sneeze. I rate it a 1 out of 10, one point just for its effectiveness as a breath mint.
Certainly better, but not by much, is Zyrtec. Contrary to popular belief, Zyrtec has minimal effects, especially for itchy eyes. Though it did help make my nose run a little less and slightly solved my congestion issue, I needed to use my allergy eye drops to keep my eyes open. Do not be too reliant on Zyrtec, especially if you are going outdoors or into the woods. However, we cannot disregard the fact that it is the most popular and reliable brand; it might just be me who has gained minimal help from the medicine. My rating is a 4 out of 10.
Though controversial due to its strong side effects, Benadryl goes on the list of top allergy medicines. While you will certainly feel a surge of sleepiness clouding your brain, you will at least be comfortable with a cleared nasal passage and a less itchy set of eyes. As for me, it returned my voice from young Justin Bieber-like to normal, and I could stop myself from constantly rubbing my eyes. This much-needed sense of comfort, combined with the induced drowsiness, however, may result in dozing off in class, so be aware. I rate it a solid 7.5 out of 10.
On top of the list is Allegra. The days that I take Allegra, I feel confident that I can pass as an individual with no spring allergies; after taking it, the quality of my vision seems to improve, and my nasal passages feel as if a skilled plumber has worked on them. I have not noticed any remarkable side effects so far; the only downside to it is that it seems to take more time to work than other medicines, but that can be counteracted by taking it an hour before going outdoors. It is somewhat harder to find in local drug stores than Zyrtec or Claritin, though, so I give it a 9 out of 10.
Remember, allergy medicine does help with symptoms, but it is not a cure-all. To all fellow members of the allergy community, remember to close your windows at night, drink a lot of water, and wash your clothing after spending time outside. Best of luck going through this season of pain and excessive bodily fluids.